RENAULT is a name to watch for future commercial vehicle c velopment, while Dad's influence will diminish, a recently publish book predicts.

The Future of the UK Motor Industry by Prof. Krish Bhaskar predicts that demand for new vehicles will climb next year to between 250,000 and 270,000 (17 per cent down on the 1979 peak). It will fall again and not recover until around 1990.

He predicts that Renault attempt to join the "big-tir league" following the aggrE sive stance represented by take over of Dodge, and predic that Volvo will move closer Renault.

Prof. Bhaskar says Daf, c prived of its partnership with I ternational Harvester, is likely be a "loser", and says that, common with Spanish build Enasa, it could be taken over merged into another grouping.

He believes the European ME ket will continue to be don nated by Daimler-Benz ar lveco, with Renault joining ti big two. General Motors, Fo and MAN/VW will occupy ti middle ground.